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Rehabilitation favoured over methadone according to study findings

The public does not value drug treatment generally but believes detoxification and rehabilitation is a better approach to drug treatment than methadone maintenance, according to a University of Aberdeen study, the findings of which were presented today at the British Science Festival.

The findings contradict scientific evidence which shows methadone maintenance is an effective way of reducing drug-related deaths, illicit drug use and the consequences of drug use such as drug-related crime.

Dr Catriona Matheson from the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Primary Care who led the study said: “The results of our study showed that the general public values detoxification and rehabilitation approaches more than a methadone maintenance approach.

Participants were asked how much money from the public purse they would be prepared to pay towards the expansion of four different drug treatment options - needle exchange programmes, methadone maintenance programmes, community-based detoxification and rehabilitation and residential-based detoxification and rehabilitation.

Findings showed

• 50.3% valued community-based detoxification and rehabilitation

• 51.4% valued residential-based detoxification and rehabilitation

• 43.2% valued Needle exchange programme

• 39.4% valued Methadone maintenance programme

Of those that valued treatment they valued community based detoxification highest and this was twice as high as methadone maintenance.

Dr Matheson continued: “In monetary terms respondents were willing to pay most for community detoxification and rehabilitation (£16.10) followed closely by residential detoxification and rehabilitation (£14.10) then needle exchange provision (£10.23) and to pay the least for methadone maintenance treatment (£8.29).

“Past scientific evidence states that for every £1 spent on drug treatment £2.50 is saved in health and social costs.” There is no such evidence available to support detoxification and rehabilitation programmes.

Participants were also asked for their experience of drug and alcohol use and a range of questions about what they knew about drugs and what they thought about drug users as people and how to treat them.

Dr Matheson added: “Our study found that the more knowledgeable a person is about drug users and treatments, the more open-minded they would be towards drug treatment”.

“Respondents with a higher knowledge of drug users and treatments had more positive attitudes – this shows that a better informed public on drug users and the effectiveness of the various drug treatments available could lead to a more evolved attitude in society as to how we manage this group.”

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Notes for Editors

Dr Catriona Matheson is taking part in a press conference at the British Science Festival on Thursday September 6 at 10am.

He is available for interview to journalists not attending the Festival. To arrange, contact Kelly Potts/Jennifer Phillips on 01224 272960/273174.

1. About the British Science Festival

The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops. The Festival takes place at a different location each year and was last held in Aberdeen in 1963. The 2012 Festival will take place from 4 - 9 September hosted by the University of Aberdeen The 2012 British Science Festival in Aberdeen is organised by the British Science Association, the University of Aberdeen and TechFest-SetPoint .

The principal sponsors of the British Science Festival are BP and Shell U.K. Limited.

2. The University of Aberdeen

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is the fifth oldest university in the UK, with a student population of around 16,000, and a large international community of students drawn from 120 different countries. The institution has an excellent reputation for teaching quality and research, and five Nobel Laureates are associated with the University.

3. About the British Science Association

The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation which provides opportunities for people of all ages to learn about, discuss and challenge the sciences and their implications. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science & Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visithttp://www.britishscienceassociation.org/.

Issued by

The Communications Team
Directorate of External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen